Thursday, Nov. 10-We enjoyed visiting the capital today. On the way, it was fun walking on the mall and poking our heads into the Natural History Museum to see the Hope Diamond and some of the other gems. We had a private tour of the Capital with the aide from Doug Lamborn's office (Colorado Representative). His aide, Jason, is from Colorado Springs. Mr. Lamborn was in Israel but it was fun to see his office while we waited for our tour. We were surprised that the halls seemed like a school/college. Nothing fancy or extravegant. Even the House was nice but not ostentacious. It was fun walking from the Cannon House Office Bldg. in the underground tunnels to get to the Capital. High School artwork winners from every district in every state adorned the walls. Very good. Since it's one of the safest bldgs in the world, it is also one of the most targeted. One of the security measures are the slits in the ceiling that will allow 6 feet of fresh air in the event of chemical warfare or fire. Jack Swagger, the Coloradan Appolo 13 Astronut, was the Colorado statue. Every state allowed one if made from bronze or marbel. After seeing a brief movie about the Capital and Congress, we proceeded to the Old Supreme Ct. Chamber. This is where passing the bar phrase came from and where Thomas Jefferson was inaugurated. The Rotunda is quite magnificant with stunning artwork of major historical signifance on the wall. The one that touched us was the one with Thomas Jefferson and company signing Constitution. It looks like he is stepping on John Adams foot. There is speculation about this but some think that itt depicted Jefferson's impatience in wanting to get it all over with and get home. Only 33 years old and with three daugthers and wife at home, he hadn't received a letter from his wife in 6 months and he knew something was wrong. Later, he would find out, his oldest daughter (10) had died. The painting on the ceiling depicts thirteen women with 4 of them with backs turned (VA, Carolinas, Georgia). The freeze (paintings of historical scenes) surrounding the top of the Rotunda was impressive in the fact it looked 3D but was in fact painted (by 3 different artists) with 3 tone monochrome. The first scene was of Christopher Columbus and the last of Wright Brothers. We saw the cript where George Washington was intended to be buried. The star on the floor marking the spot is the center of D.C. and has a dip in it due to the millions of people that have rubbed their feet over it for good luck. A gold inscribed Magna Carta, a gift from England is showcased. We saw the steps where the President descends to give his inaugural speech. Also, learned State of Union address given in House chambers and that FDR announced going to war in WWII. The Old House Chamber now called the Statuary Hall (statues of Presidents) and/or the whisper room. Demonstrated how could stand on one side of room and voice greatly amplified on the other side. This is room where John Quincy Adams had a stroke and would later die. Learned that the Capital was completed in 1811 and then was burned down in War of 1812. It was rebuilt and was being expanded during the Civil War. Lincoln insisted that construction continue as evidence "that we intend the union to go on."
We got to Library of Congress for the last hour before closing and never did quite figure out to do the passport program they have set up for kids but it was educational to visit the Thomas Jefferson library. After the Library of Congress was burned with the Capital in 1812, Jefferson offered up his personal library for whatever Congress could afford. They bought 6000 books for nearly 24,000. Many of these were lost in a later fire but have been replaced by purchasing and donors. Beautiful building.
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